Daily Archives: January 3, 2015

2015 Fishing Regulations Summary now online

Anglers can download the 2015 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary at www.ksoutdoors.com

It’s never too early to begin planning your next fishing trip – that’s why an online version of the 2015 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary has been made available to anglers at ksoutdoors.com. Simply visit ksoutdoors.com and click “Fishing / Fishing Regulations” to download your copy of the free, easy-to-use, full-color pamphlet. Printed copies will be available wherever licenses are sold by mid-January.

Apart from a helpful section highlighting new regulations for the 2015 season, the summary also includes information on important fishing regulations such as special seasons, creel and length limits, license fees and legal fishing methods. Because creel and length limits vary from lake to lake, the 2015 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary is a must-read for all anglers.

Included in a special 16-page section, the summary also lists all public waters, along with their location and any special regulations in effect. At the turn of a page, anglers can see which community lakes don’t charge extra fees for fishing, as well as community lakes designated as Family Friendly Facilities (FFF) that will include flush toilet facilities, security patrols, security lighting, easy access to the water and do not allow alcohol.

Anglers can also read up on aquatic nuisance species (ANS), as well as regulations governing the use of live baitfish. Five pages are devoted to fish identification, featuring color illustrations by renowned fish illustrator Joe Tomelleri. Current state record fish are listed, and there is also a Master Angler Award Application for anglers who catch fish that qualify for this certificate award program.

Make a spot for the 2015 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary in your tackle box. You just might find it adds a little more luck to your lures this season.

KWPT Commission to meet Jan. 8 in Bonner Springs

The public hearing portion of the meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism commissioners will meet for the first time in 2015 on Jan. 8 at BonnerSpringsParks and Recreation, Sunflower Room, 200 E. 3rd St., Bonner Springs.

The afternoon session will begin with time for public comments on non-agenda items, followed by a general discussion period. Topics covered in the general discussion include Secretary’s remarks regarding agency and state fiscal status; an update on the 2015 legislature; the 2015 Commission big game permit drawing; an update on Tourism Division activities; regulations pertaining to public lands; coyote hunting during rifle deer season; Kaw River access and National Park Service trails designation; and an update on the Kansas Quail Initiative.

Workshop topics for the afternoon session, which will be discussed for potential regulatory action at a future meeting, include a series of regulations pertaining to antelope and elk, permanent regulations pertaining to big game, and a series of deer regulations. While no major regulation changes are being proposed, discussion will be open.

The commission will recess at 5 p.m., and then reconvene at 6:30 p.m. at the same location to discuss any remaining workshop items and begin the public hearing. Public hearing items to be discussed and voted on during the evening session include general provisions related to tagging floatlines; displaying identification number and decals on sailboards; displaying vehicle permits at Kansas State Parks; and 2015 Free Park Entrance and Free Fishing Days.

Time will be available in both the afternoon and evening sessions for public comment on non-agenda items. If necessary, the commission will reconvene at the same location at 9 a.m., Jan 9, to complete any unfinished business.

Commercial-free live video and audio streaming of the meeting will be broadcast through ksoutdoors.com.

If notified in advance, the department will have an interpreter available for the hearing impaired. To request an interpreter, call the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 1-800-432-0698. Any individual with a disability may request other accommodations by contacting the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission secretary at (620) 672-5911.

The next commission meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2015 at the Kansas Museum of History, 6425 SW 6th Ave., Topeka.

Don’t miss out on late-season waterfowl hunts

Don’t store your waders; late season hunts can still prove fruitful

Most hunting seasons, including those for ducks, deer and upland birds, will come to a close soon, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stow away your gear yet. Kansas has several seasons to keep you hunting through January, and goose hunting opportunities that run through early spring.

Depending on weather and snow cover conditions, numbers of geese can steadily build in late January and early February around Kansas reservoirs and wetlands. Consider hunting the Canada and light goose seasons, Nov. 12, 2014-Feb. 15, 2015, and the white-fronted goose season, Jan. 17-Feb. 15, 2015, during this time.

When Feb. 16 hits, consider hunting snow and Ross’ geese. During the Light Goose Conservation Order, Feb. 16-April 30, 2015, hunters can take an unlimited amount of these birds in an effort to reduce populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established this special season to boost the harvest of light geese, a population that has increased more than 300 percent since the mid-1970s. These historic numbers of geese have denuded portions of their fragile tundra breeding habitat in the arctic, which may take decades to recover. This impacts other bird species that nest there, including semi-palmated sandpipers and red-necked phalaropes.

To increase hunter success, the conservation order authorizes hunting methods not allowed during the regular seasons, including the use of electronic calls, unplugged shotguns, and shooting hours one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Ongoing 2014 seasons that run through Jan. 31, 2015 include: pheasant, quail, greater prairie-chicken, turkey (Fall), and whitetail antlerless-only (see regulations for specifics on unit close dates).

Other late-season hunting opportunities include crow, exotic dove, furbearers, rabbit, and squirrel.

For information on hunting seasons, consult the 2014 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary, or visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Hunting.”

Support Nongame species with tax donation, Chickadee Checkoff

Nongame wildlife makes up more than ninety-nine percent of all species in Kansas

More than 4,500 birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans and mollusks are considered nongame species, or species that are not trapped, fished, or hunted, in Kansas. We share our state with hummingbirds and herons, bats and butterflies, turtles and toads, mussels and snakes, and almost everything in between. Collectively, nongame wildlife makes up more than 99 percent of all species in Kansas.

While habitat management efforts designed for game species also benefit nongame wildlife, there was a need for programs specific to nongame species, so the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism established the Kansas Nongame Wildlife Improvement Program, also known as the Chickadee Checkoff Program. The program, which seeks support through tax-deductible donations, provides funding for nongame wildlife research, habitat enhancement and restoration projects, as well as a variety of educational projects.

Private donations are crucial in funding these vital programs, especially when Chickadee Checkoff proceeds are matched by federal funds. Contributions have been steadily decreasing in recent years, making it imperative that every Kansan consider donating this tax season.

To make a contribution, taxpayers can simply mark the Chickadee Checkoff box on their state income tax forms (line 36 on Form K-40) and designate the amount they would like to donate. There is no minimum or incremental requirement, and donations can also be made directly to the Chickadee Checkoff program at any time throughout the year by mailing the donation to Chickadee Checkoff c/o Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) 512 SE 25th Ave, Pratt, KS67124.

For more information on how you can support Kansas’ nongame wildlife, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click “Services/Wildlife Diversity/Chickadee Checkoff.”